Proposed Commission to Tighten Lobbying Laws in Delaware

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Five groups led by Common Cause are urging Gov. Jack Markell to support a bill that would create a commission to propose reforms to the state's lobbying laws.

A letter sent to Markell urges him to back such a proposal, saying a commission could consider all possible reforms in a "comprehensive way." It noted several reform proposals have died from inaction in the General Assembly in past years.

Critics have longed charged that Delaware's lobbying laws are among the nation's weakest.

Markell's office didn't immediately respond to the coalition letter.

Common Cause was joined in the effort by Progressive Democrats of Delaware, Delaware Coalition for Open Government, League of Women Voters of Delaware and the Delaware chapter of the Sierra Club.